Electrical switch



June 1 .1926.

A. J. BRlGGS ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed May 20. 1922 alim/mmf- ARTHUR J. BRIGGS, OF SYCUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 NATQNAL CARBON i COMPANY, ENG., A. GORPOTION OF NEW YORK.

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Application filed. may 20,

This invention relates to improvements in electrical switch mechanism. 'lhe invention has particular reference. to devices of the three-position type, in which a circuit controlling member, normally freely movable into or out of operative position, may be secured in either of `such positions by actuation of suitable locking means. Threeposition switches are applicable in general to electrical apparatus in which it is desir-- able, under varying requirements of operation, to effect an easy intermittentclosure of the circuit or to securely retain the same for relatively extended periods in open or closed condition. For purposes of illustration, the switch mechanism of the present invention will be described in conection with a portable battery operated h and lamp..

lt is an object of this invention to provide a simple and rugged switch construction, capable of easy movement into any of its adjusted positions. rlhe construction comprises broadly a resiliently mounted contact member, normally freely depressible to engage a conductor strip, and a slide. adapted to beg inserted either beneath or above a portion of the contact member, to prevent it from being depressed and to hold 1t 1n depressed position, respectively. In the preferred form of my invention, a conductor `strip is carried by the switch mechanism., `Attachment of the Y latterto the casing serves also to secure the conductor strip in operative position, wlthout the necessity of riveting the strip to the casing as in usual practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is an elevation ofv a tubular flashlight provided with the improved switch Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on ine 2-2, Fig. 1, showing the switch in inter-4 mittently operable position,

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 3-3, Fig. 2, on' an enlarged scale,

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged longitudinal sectional views through the switch, showing it respectively in open and closed locked positions, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the locking slide.

Referring to the drawings, vreference numeral 1 denotes a tubular flashlight casing having an esoutcheon plate 2 secured i922. seriai no. asaaai.

over an opening therein by rivets 3 or other suitable means., An elongated housing 4, preferably integral with the escutcheon plate has a circular perforation 5 adjacent one end. A push button 6, mounted on a resilient arm 7 is. vertically movable through the perforation. Arm 7 is attached to the opposite end ofthe housing 4 by a rivet 8, which also secures a bracket 9 to the housing. The elongated arm 10 of the bracket 9 lies beneath and is parallel to thehousing. An inwardly extended plate 11 preferably formed integrally with the arm 10, is secured by rivet 11 to the end ofthe housing opposite to that at which the bracket is attached. y f

A stirrup-shaped slide 12 is received Within the housing and is adapted to be supported by bracket arm 10 and plate 11. The slide 12 has a limited reciprocating travel between the end of the housing and the downwardly turned portion of bracket 9. Motion may be imparted to the slide by' means of ingerpiece 13 riveted to its base and movable in a longitudinal slot 14 in the cover of housing 4. An upturned spring arm 15, secured to the base of'slide', has a rounded end 16 adapted to be snapped into rounded elevations 17 and18 on the housf ing cover, to hold the slide in either of its extreme positions. The resilient arm 7 is slotted at 19 to permit the travel of linger piece 13 and the passage of the end 16 into the elevations. i l

The lateral portions 20 and 2l of the bracket arm 10` may be 'bent inwardly to clamp a conductor strip 22, which is encased in insulating material 23. One end of the strip underlies the push button 6 and is curved upwardly to provide a resilient seat 24 for rounded contact member 25 carried by the button. The other end 26 of the strip extends beyond the housing and is of such length as to engage a conductive disk aiixed to the insulated reflector, as shown in Fig. 2.

The operation of the switch is as follows: The intermittently operable adjustment is obtained by movin the finger piece 13 toward the center o the housing, from the position illustrated in Fig. 4, until spring end 16 snaps into elevation 17. Such movement places the arched end of stirrupshaped slide'12 adjacent the lwall of the housing (Fig. 2), and the be depressed past the slide into engagement ush button can i ausJ means on said arm holding said strip with one of its ends positioned beneath said depressible contact.

15. A portable battery operated lamp comprising a metal casing, a reflector insulated therefrom, a metallic circuit controlling device mounted on said casing, and a conductor strip carried by said device and adapted to engage the reflector, said device comprising a member movable against and away from said strip to close and open the electrical circuit through the latter.

16. In an electrical switch for portable battery operated lamps, the combination of a conductor, a reciprocable member having an opening therethrough, a' resiliently mounted contact depressible through said opening to engage said conductor, a casing carrying said member and enclosing said contact, and means in said casing movable by said member into a position to hold said contact continuously depressed against said conductor.

17. The combination with a casing having an opening in a wall thereof; of an apertured escutcheon plate secured to said casing over said opening; a conductor secured to the inner side of said plate and extending through said opening into said casing; and a push button carried by said plate and depressible through the aperture therein to close a circuit through said conductor.

ln testimony whereof, I aiiix mysignatureu ARTHUR J. BRIGGS. 

